++Rowan writes for God

Yes, you read the title correctly, Archbishop Rowan wrote to a six year old after she wrote looking for answers about who invented God.

I am clearly not the originator of this story, it was reported on the telegraph blog by Damian Thompson at
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/damianthompson/100084843/a-six-year-old-girl-writes-a-letter-to-god-and-the-archbishop-of-canterbury-answers/ But it has got me thinking, and what better place to air these than here?

Let me first show you what ++Rowan wrote to this six year old girl

Dear Lulu,
Your dad has sent on your letter and asked if I have any answers. It’s a difficult one! But I think God might reply a bit like this –
‘Dear Lulu – Nobody invented me – but lots of people discovered me and were quite surprised. They discovered me when they looked round at the world and thought it was really beautiful or really mysterious and wondered where it came from. They discovered me when they were very very quiet on their own and felt a sort of peace and love they hadn’t expected.
Then they invented ideas about me – some of them sensible and some of them not very sensible. From time to time I sent them some hints – specially in the life of Jesus – to help them get closer to what I’m really like.
But there was nothing and nobody around before me to invent me. Rather like somebody who writes a story in a book, I started making up the story of the world and eventually invented human beings like you who could ask me awkward questions!’
And then he’d send you lots of love and sign off.
I know he doesn’t usually write letters, so I have to do the best I can on his behalf. Lots of love from me too.
+Archbishop Rowan

I am completely astounded and uplifted that ++Rowan found the time to write a personal response to a girl who was looking for answers.  He didn't fob her off and didn't talk down to her or over her head.  He took the time to read her letter, understand what she was looking for, no doubt pray on how to respond and then wrote to her at her level.  He took time.  He just shot up another notch in my opinion.

I have read many of ++Rowans books and papers and never ever have I read anything that makes as much sense or moves me so deeply.  This probably reflects more on me and my intellect than anything, but hey "come as a child".

"they discovered me" - wow.  How fantastically simple an explanation is that about what happens when we come to faith.  Never before have I read anything that captures how it was so perfectly.  

Yes, I discovered God, 
discovered a relationship with God, 
discovered peace in God's presence,
discovered God's call on my life.

Thank you ++Rowan, what an uplifting end to Good Friday.